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Admissions Timeline 2022-2023: A Guide for Juniors and Seniors

Written by Sam Jaquez | July 13, 2022

Photo by Yan Krukov

Eleventh and twelfth grade are busy years for students. With classes, activities, exams, and college applications, organizing your time and important deadlines can seem daunting. To minimize stress and maximize efficiency, follow a timeline to stay on track with college prep. These junior and senior timelines highlight important tasks to focus on throughout the year to help stay on track and efficiently prepare for college. Of course, timelines can and will vary by student based on a variety of factors like where you are applying and when you are applying. However, these timelines are a general guide intended fit most student's situations based on common factors like SAT and ACT test dates and Common App deadlines.

Juniors

Season/Month	Priorities	Additional Details
Fall
August	• Research colleges • Familiarize yourself with the admissions process • Plan your extracurricular activities for the year	• How to Choose a College: Advice from Experienced Admissions Counselors • College Admissions Tips • Read more about extracurricular actitivies
September	• Meet with your school counselor to discuss college plans • Sign up for the PSAT through your school if you plan on taking the PSAT • Think about what you want to study in college • Advanced summer planning – are you going to participate in an internship, a summer job, volunteering, etc.?	• Meeting with Your School Counselor • Read more about taking the PSAT • How to Choose a Major • Tips for Finding a Summer Internship: Many competitive internship programs have application deadlines in the fall of junior year!
October	• Take the PSAT • Prepare for the ACT and SAT. Plan out your test dates and a study routine to prepare throughout the year.	• CollegeBoard recommends taking the SAT for the first time in the Spring of junior year because that allows time for a retest in the Fall of senior year. • Read more about taking the ACT and SAT
November	If you will be taking AP exams during junior year, confirm your registration for the AP Exams which are administered in May.	• Make sure to get in contact with your AP teacher or guidance counselor for AP Exam registration information. • Confirm your AP exam registration here
Winter
December	• Research scholarships • Apply for eligible scholarships	It’s never too early to start thinking about scholarships. You can use your winter break to research scholarships you might want to apply to starting in the summer and throughout your senior year. Some scholarships are even open to juniors so you can also use this time to apply to any scholarships open to juniors.
January	If you are taking the ACT or SAT in the spring, make sure to register before the registration deadline.	• Click here for ACT test dates • Click here for SAT test dates.
February	If you are taking the ACT or SAT in the spring, make sure to keep up with your study plan as the exams approach.	• Tips for Studying for the ACT and SAT • How to Beat Procrastination When You Should Be Studying for the SAT/ACT
Spring
March	• March 11, 2023: Take the SAT if registered for the March test date • Visit college campuses	If you plan on applying early in the fall of senior year, spring of junior year is a good time to visit colleges on your list.
April	• April 15, 2023: Take the ACT if registered for the April test • Continue researching colleges and visiting campuses • Ask a few teachers to write you a letter of recommendation	• Things to Consider On a Campus Tour • Read More on College Tours • How to Ask for Recommendation Letters
May	• May 6, 2023: Take the SAT if registered for the May test • Take the AP Exam for any Advance Placement classes you are taking. • Plan your senior year schedule	• Classes to take in High School • Tips for Making Your Junior and Senior Schedule
Summer (throughout)	• Research application deadlines • Prepare application materials • Research scholarships • Visit colleges on your list • Begin drafting your college essays.	• For 2022-2023, The Common App essay prompts remain the same as last year. • College Application Essay Tips
June	• June 3, 2023: Take the SAT if registered for the June test • June 10, 2023: Take the ACT if registered for the June test
July	• July 15, 2023: Take the ACT if registered for the July test

Seniors

Season/Month	Priorities	Additional Details
Fall
August	• Chose which colleges you are going to apply to this fall • Start filling out applications • August 27, 2022: Take the SAT if registered for the August test	• How to Choose a College: Advice from Experienced Admissions Counselors • Five Tips for the College Application Process • What is a Parent’s Role in the Application Process?
September	• September 10, 2022: Take the ACT if registered for the September test date • Gather letters of recommendation • Continue with campus tours • Continue filling out applications	• Getting a Top-Notch Letter of Recommendation • The Role of a College Tour
October	• October 1, 2022: Take the SAT if registered for the September test date • October 22, 2022: Take the ACT if registered for the October test date • Finish applications if applying early • Begin filling out the FAFSA	• Early Decision and Early Action applications are usually due in November, often on November 1st (for the Common App). Read More on Applying Early • The FAFSA opens on October 1st each year and is generally due in June. Tips for FAFSA Applicants
November	• November 5, 2022: Take the SAT if registered for the November test date • Early Applications (Common App) are due on November 1 • Follow up with recommendation requests • Make final touches to your applications (regular decision) • If you are in AP classes, confirm your AP Exam registration	• The AP Exam is in May, but the registration deadline is in the fall. Make sure to get in contact with your AP teacher or guidance counselor for AP Exam registration information. Confirm your AP exam registration here
Winter
December	• December 3, 2022: Take the SAT if registered for the December test date • December 10, 2022: Take the ACT if registered for the December test date • Submit college applications	The Common App is due on January 1st so submitting it anytime in December is a good way to stay ahead of the stress! Read More about the Common App
January	• The Common App is due on January 1st so if you didn’t turn it in before, make sure to turn it in now! Apply for scholarships	• Where to Turn When Looking for Scholarships
February	• Submit financial aid application materials • February is a relatively slow month, but you can use the time to check in with teachers about grades, check in with your guidance counselor with any questions you have.	• January to June Reminders
Spring
March	If you haven’t applied to schools yet, you still have time to apply to schools with late deadlines or rolling admissions.	Read More on Rolling Admissions
April	By April, most colleges will have sent out decision notices and you should be making your decision.	How to Pick a College When You Have Multiple Options
May	• May 1st is College Decision Day: make sure to accept or reject offers of admission you have received by this day! • Take the AP Exam for any Advance placement classes you are completing. • Send out final transcripts to your college of choice	• AP Exam Scores: Your Questions Answered
Summer
June	Submit your FAFSA by June 30th	FAFSA Deadlines
July	Prepare for your first semester of college!	How to Prep for College After Your High School Graduation